Colorado Sprawl Action Center's
Growth Management Toolkit

Table of Contents | Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

Transportation Planning:
Problem | Solution | Applications | Internet Resources

Traffic has increased dramatically in recent years in Colorado –traffic in the Denver area is now the 13th worst in the country and the average daily miles traveled by Coloradans is increasing across the state. Further, traffic will likely continue to increase in the foreseeable future. Along with a high rate of population growth, much of Colorado has developed in sprawling development patterns. “Leap frog” and low density patterns of development often place residential and commercial centers far apart, creating a situation where people are forced to drive farther and farther to reach their jobs and other destinations.

These factors have led to an increase in the number of cars on the roads, a continual increase in the amount of miles people drive, and increased costs associated with transportation. Because land use and transportation planning are not adequately linked, development often occurs far from existing developed areas or in areas that are not able to handle the increased transportation needs resulting from new development. As a result, both driving distances and traffic have increased.

Multi-modal transit options such as rail, bus, bicycle paths, and pedestrian walkways can help reduce traffic and burdens on roadways. However, these options are often not adequately funded and are less efficient in areas with sprawling development patterns.

"More and more, we have nowhere to go in our cars. If we surrender our towns, countryside and cities to the car, we will also be surrendering many other values that we hold dear: neighborhood life, a sense of history and place, a feeling of belonging somewhere."–Hank Dittmar, "Road to Nowhere”

Transportation planning should be linked to land use planning in order to promote efficient development patterns and minimize traffic congestion. By linking transportation planning to land use planning, communities will grow in patterns that do not force people to drive ever increasing distances on roads with ever increasing traffic. Further, adequate funding of multi-modal transit options will allow people to take advantage of a wider range of viable transportation options.

Permitting or providing incentives for development along existing transportation corridors can reduce negative traffic impacts by ensuring that new development occurs in areas where the traffic needs can be absorbed rather than in areas that will end up in gridlock. New developments that utilize or connect to existing street grid patterns rather than using cul de sacs can reduce both the need to drive and the distances people drive. Preventing leap frog development brings new development closer to existing developed areas and reduces driving distances. Creating corridors of higher density, mixed use developments (where residences, jobs, shopping, and other destinations are in close proximity to one another), or transit-oriented developments will help to support an array of transportation options and transit projects.

In order to reduce traffic problems, Coloradans need a broader range of viable transportation options. Multi-modal transportation options such as rail, bus, bicycle, and pedestrian options should be incorporated into transportation and land use planning. This will reduce traffic and allow residents to choose how they want to get to where they need to go. Funding for transit should be increased so that appropriate multi-modal systems can be established.

Local:
Communities can alleviate and prevent traffic problems in a number of ways. By linking transportation planning and land use planning, communities can prevent traffic problems through more efficient development patterns. Local governments can adopt ordinances to require that new developments not create more traffic than area roads can handle. Communities may phase in development so that it occurs in an orderly manner and driving distances are reduced. Local governments can include multi-modal options in their plans so that residents are able to choose among a variety of transportation options, such as the automobile, rail, bus, bicycle, and pedestrian walkways.

Communities can also promote mixed use and transit-oriented developments. The promotion of mixed use developments can reduce the need to drive; by placing residential and commercial units in close proximity, people will not be forced to get into their cars when they need to go the post office or buy a few groceries. Transit-oriented developments directly link land use to transportation planning. These developments are designed to make transit options very convenient for residents who wish to use them.

Additionally, communities can increase funding for multi-modal options. While many jurisdictions participate in regional transportation districts and will increase funding through those means, even the smallest communities can grow in a manner that prevents traffic problems and can provide sidewalks and bike paths so that residents have transportation options.

State:
At the state level, the legislature could require that communities link land use and transportation planning. Thus, the connection between the two would have to be addressed by each local government. The legislature could also promote mixed use or transit-oriented developments in order to support increased transportation options. Finally, the legislature could assist in funding multi-modal options rather than continuing to dedicate the lion’s share of funds to highway projects.

www.cfst.org/
Citizens for Sensible Transportation (CST)

www.newdream.org/transport/
The Center for a New American Dream-excellent section on transportation.

www.epa.gov/region5/sprawl/transit.htm
Federal agencies and programs that encourage public transit

www.pps.org/Transportation/livable_transportation.htm
Project for Public Spaces through Transportation

www.sierraclub.org/sprawl/transportation/
Sierra Club- excellent research reports on transportation

www.carfree.com/
Carfree.com proposes solutions to auto-dependent urban areas.

Table of Contents | Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11